Sprinkler head



. Dec. 31, 1935.

J. L. SE

SPRINKLER H Filed July 1932 Patented Dec. 31, 1935 UNlT-ED STATESSPRINKLER HEAD Jay Lawrence Seat,

Fairfield, Comp, assignor to Mergenthaler Linotype Company, acorporation of New York Application July 7, 1932, Serial No. 621,223 10Claims. (01. 169-41) This invention relates to new .and usefulimprovements in fire extinguishing equipment, and has particularrelation to a sprinkler head adapted to be used with an automaticchemical spray system.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a sprinkler head fora fire extinguishing system, equipped with a chamber having outlet portsextending through the walls thereof and a valve member adapted when inone position to close the outlet ports and when in another position toopen the outlet ports. Normally the valve member is maintained in itsport-closing position by a fusible element adapted when subjected to ahigh temperature, occasioned by the presence of fire, to fuse, whereuponthe valve member is urged to port-opening position to permit the escapeof fluid from the system to extinguish the fire. The arrangement is suchthat the valve member, upon the fusing of the fusible element, is urgedto port-opening position by the fluid pressure in the sprinkler system.To augment the action of the fluid pressure, the sprinkler head isfurther equipped with a spring which insures the operation of thesprinkler head upon the fusing of the fusible element.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a considerationof the following detailed description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing wherein a satisfactory embodiment of the inventionis shown. However, it will be understood that the invention is notlimited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations andmodifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scopeof the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic elevational view of a fire extinguishing systemequipped with sprinkler heads including the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram of a pressure control switch for maintainingthe pressure in the sprinkler system within predetermined limits;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on an enlarged scale and showinga sprinkler head in closed position; and

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the sprinkler head open as when thechemical is being sprayed.

Referring in detail to the drawing a fire extinguishing system in whichthe invention may be advantageously used is illustrated and includes asupply tank 5 mounted on any suitable support 6 and partially filledwith a suitable chemical fire extinguishing material 7, as for examplecarbon tetrachloride. As clearly shown in Fig. 1 there is a space 8within the tank above the liquid l and this space is purposely reservedfor a head of air. A compressor 9 is provided preferably in relativelyclose association with the tank, and this compressor may in fact bemounted on a stand Ill which in turn is supported on the tank. Through apipe H the compressor is in communication with the space 8 and thecompressor is used to maintain the chemical 1 under a predeterminedpressure.

The compressor 9 is to be driven at the proper time as by an electricmotor I2 acting through an endless belt or other power transmittingmeans It. Liquid 1 is preferably maintained under a pressure of not lessthan 30 pounds per square inch and to this end means are providedwhereby when the pressure within the tank drops below a predeterminedminimum the motor i2 is automatically started to operate the compressorand build up the pressure within the tank. On the pressure reaching apredetermined maximum, as for example 70 pounds per square inch, themotor is stopped but is ready to be again started should the pressuredrop below the desired minimum. A power supply line is indicated at E4and has connected with it a line 15 leading to any suitable pressureswitch is in communication with the interior of tank 5 as through a pipeline H.

By way of illustration, the pressure switch I6 may include a Bourdontube Hi communicating with the tank 5 through the pipe I! and having anelectrical connection with the power line l5. Normally the switch I6 isopen, but when the pressure in the tank falls below the predeterminedminimum, the Bourdon tube lfi will coil up until it touches the contactl6 which is conneoted by the lead I8 with one of the wires l9 leading tothe motor l2. A return lead l8 between the other wire l9 and the line H:completes the circuit through the motor to drive the compressor. Whenthe pressure in the tank 5 again reaches the desired maximum, theBourdon tube l6 uncoils, breaking the circuit, and stopping the motor.The power line I4 is also connected with the wires I9 through a normallyopened switch 20 One element of the switch is the armature of a relay 2%which is connected to the power leads l4 through the lead 2%, the lead38, grounded on the system, the leads 35, 36, and switches on thesprinkler heads later to be described. The switch 20 connecting theleads I4 with the motor I2, is normally opened, but when any of thesprinkler heads are rendered operative, the relay 20 is energized toclose the switch 20 to complete the circuit through the motor.

A pipe 2'! is in communication with the lower portion of the interior ofthe tank 5 and connected with this pipe 2! is an upright pipe or riser22 from which extend suitable laterals or branches 23 the number ofwhich will of course vary according to the structure to be equipped withthe apparatus. Communicating with the pipes 23 are sprinkler heads 24,which form the subject of the instant invention. The number of sprinklerheads may be varied as required and in the normal condition of thesystem are maintained in closed condition to prevent the escape of fluidtherefrom.

Each sprinkler head includes a body 25 having a relatively small opening25 at its inlet end and then having a relatively large recess or chamber21 receiving a valve 28 having an inner conical end portion 28a adaptedto engage the valve seat 29 when the sprinkler head is closed.

A coil compression spring 33 is arranged within the chamber or recess 21and this spring normally tends to move the valve 28 to open position orfrom its position as shown in Fig. 3 to that in which it is shown inFig. 4. Fusible elements or means 3!.normally serve to maintain thevalve on the seat against the action of the spring 38, but when thetemperature in the vicinity of a sprinkler head reaches a predetermineddegree, as for example Fahrenheit, the elements 33 will fuse or melt andthe spring will shift the valve opening the sprinkler head. Any of thelead alloys which fuse at about this temperature can be used for thefusible elements. The body of the sprinkler head is provided with aseries of downwardly inclined openings 32 and by comparison of Figs. 3and 4 it will be apparent that when the valve is in open position theinlet 25 of the sprinkler head will be in communication with theopenings or orifices 3?. and chemical supplied to the head will bedischarged downwardly and outwardly in the form of a spray.

Carried by each sprinkler head is a combination disc or ring and bushing33 of insulating material and which disc .or ring and bushing serves tomount a ring 34 of conducting material. The member 33 insulates the ringor member 34 from the sprinkler head. The wire 35 has branches 36connected with the rings or members 34, and each of said rings ormembers carries a substantially L-shaped contact arm 31 arrangedinspaced relation to a valve 28 when said valve is in closed positionbut adapted to be engaged by said valve when the valve moves to openposition. It will therefore be seen that when a valve of one of thesprinkler heads opens the said valve will connect its branch 36 of theline 35 with the sprinkler head and through the sprinkler head and thepipe line connected therewith a circuit will be completed to the wire 38grounded on the system, thus energizing the relay 29. The ener gizing ofthe relay 20 closes the switch 20 to complete a circuit between thesupply line l4 and the line l9 to the motor 12 whereby the motor will beenergized to drive the compressor. From this it will be seen that shouldthe temperature increase in the vicinity of but one sprinkler head thatsprinkler head will open and the motor will be started to drive thecompressor to maintain the pressure on the chemical in the tank and thechemical will be sprayed through the open sprinkler head. Should morethan one sprinkler head open at the same time or should the sprinklerheads open successivelythe operation will be switch 4! the same,chemical being sprayed from each open sprinkler head.

An audible or other signal 39 may be connected in parallel arrangementwith the leads IE to the motor, so that when the switch 28 is closedupon the operation of a sprinkler head, a signal will be given. Thesignal, of course, may be located at any desired point. Also, a switch4i may be provided. for manually closing the circuit through wires 35and 38 as for the purpose of testing the system. A manually operablerelief valve 22 is provided in the pipe line i i which may be used torelease the air pressure when starting the motor for test purposes. Themotor may be started for this purpose by closing the Also, a pressuregauge G3 is provided, in this line in order that the pressure within thetank 5 may be readily determined. The pipe line 2! is provided with acut-01f valve 44 in order that communication between the tank andupright 22 may be cut ofi when it is desired to drain the piping system,as through the valve 45. Chemical may be supplied to the tank as throughan opening normally closed by a plug 46.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that chemical underpressure is immediately available on the opening of a sprinkler head.This, of course, is due to the arrangement. whereby the motor 12 isstarted and stopped automatically on the pressure within the tank 5dropping below a predetermined minimum and reaching a predeterminedmaximum. Further, it will be understood that immediately on the openingof a sprinkler. head the motor 22 is started independent of switch Itwhereby the compressor is actuated to build up or maintain the pressurewithin the tank and whereby the motor will be started irrespective ofwhether the pressure in the tank is at or below a predetermined minimum.The circuit to the motor is closed by the physical action of valve 28 inits movement to open position and since the valve is projected by thespring 30 and also pressure from the system a good electrical connectionwill be had. In connection with the engagement of the contact arm 31 bythe valve it will be noted that the arrangement is such that the saidarm prevents the valve from being projected out of the sprinkler head.

Having thus set forth tion, what I claim is:

1. A sprinkler head for a fire extinguishing system, comprising a valvebody having a chamber, an inlet opening to the chamber at one end,outlet ports for the chamber extending through the wall of the valvebody, a valve member within the chamber serving when in one position toclose the ports, a fusible element normally holding the valve member inport closing position, and a spring associated with the valve member andarranged to move it to open the ports upon the fusing of the fusibleelement.

2. A sprinkler head for a fire extinguishing system, comprising a valvebody having a chamber, an inlet opening to the chamber at one end,outlet ports for the chamber extending through the wall of the valvebody, a valve member within the chamber serving when in one position toclose the ports, a fusible element normally holding the valve member inport closing position, a shoulder on the valve member, and a springarranged between the shoulder and the inner end of the chamber, servingto actuate the valve to open the ports upon the fusing of the fusibleelement.

the nature of my inven- 2,026,782 3. A sprinkler head for a fireextinguisher system, comprising a valve body having a. chamber, an inletopening to the chamber, outlet ports for the chamber extending throughthe wall of the valve body, means including a valve member adapted whenin one position to close the outlet ports and when in another positionto open the outlet ports, and a fusible element normally holding thevalve opening and closing means in port closing position, said meansbeing so constructed and arranged that the valve member is urged to portopening position by the pressure in the system upon the fusing of thefusible element.

4. A sprinkler head for a fire extinguisher system, comprising a valvebody having a chamber, an inlet opening to the chamber, outlet ports forthe chamber extending through the valve body, means including a valvemember having limited movement with respect to said valve chamber andadapted when in one position to close the outlet ports and when inanother position to open the outlet ports, and a fusible element normally holding the valve opening and closing means in port closingposition, said means being so constructed and arranged that said valvemember is urged to port opening position by the pressure in the systemupon the fusing of the fusible element.

5. A sprinkler head in accordance with claim 3, wherein spring means areprovided for urging the port opening and closing means to port openingposition upon the fusing of the fusible element.

6. A sprinkler head in accordance with claim 4, wherein spring means areprovided for urging the port opening and closing means to port openingposition upon the fusing of the fusible element.

'7. A sprinkler head for a fire extinguisher mally holding system,comprising a valve body having a chamber, an inlet opening to thechamber, outlet ports for the chamber extending through the wall of thevalve body, a valve member slidably engaging the wall of the valvechamber and adapted when in one position to close said outlet ports andwhen in another position to open said outlet ports, and a fusibleelement normally holding the valve member in port closing position, saidvalve member being constructed and arranged so as to be urged to portopening position by the pressure in the system upon the fusing of thefusible element.

8. A sprinkler head for a fire extinguisher system in accordance withclaim '7, wherein spring means are provided arranged to act upon thevalve member to urge the same to port opening position upon the fusingof the fusible element.

9. A sprinkler head for a fire extinguishing system, comprising a valvebody having a chamber, an inlet opening to the chamber, outlet ports forthe chamber extending through the wall of the valve body, meansincluding a valve member movable longitudinally with respect to thevalve body and adapted when in one position to close the outlet portsand when in another position to open the outlet ports, and a fusibleelement northe valve opening and closing means in port-closing position,said means being so constructed and arranged that the valve member isurged to port-opening position upon the fusing of the fusible element.

10. A sprinkler head for a fire extinguishing system in accordance withclaim 9, wherein spring means are arranged to act upon the valve memberto urge the same longitudinally with respect to the valve body to openthe ports upon the fusing of the fusible element.

JAY LAWRENCE SEAT.

